Thursday, September 30, 2010

Nasihah (Advice): Imam Al-Qarãfi in his book Al-Furwüq said, 'Learn that a little etiquette is better than a lot of good actions.' Rwúaim, the righteous scholar, told his son, 'Oh my son, make your deeds salt, and your manners flour.' Many good manners with few good deeds are better than many good deeds with few good manners. (Min Adabil Islam, By Sheikh Abdul Fattah Abu Ghuddah)

Shaikh Abdul Fattah Abu Ghuddah was a very eminent Hanafi scholar from Yemen

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-- Your souls are precious and can only be equal to the price of Paradise, therefore sell them only at that price..

send this to all plz... Allahumma inni ala Zikrika wa Shukrika wa husni ibadatika" A very powerful Dua'a has been sent to you.send this to all plz... Allahumma inni ala Zikrika wa Shukrika wa husni ibadatika" A very powerful Dua'a has been sent to you.

What do you think you should do with it - imagine if 1000 people read it just because of you. Jazakallah ALLAHU AKBAR Allah is great During the next 60 seconds, stop whatever you are doing, and take this In a while, more people will have prayed for you and you would have obtained a Allah said, "If you are ashamed of me, I will be ashamed of you." If you are not ashamed, send this message...only if you believe. "Yes, I love Allah. Allah is my fountain of Life and My Savior. Allah keeps me going day and night. Without Allah, I am no one. But with Allah, I can do everything. Allah is my strength."

Friday, September 17, 2010

Praise be to Allaah, we seek His help and His forgiveness. We seek refuge with Allaah from the evil of our own souls and from our bad deeds. Whomsoever Allaah guides will never be led astray, and whomsoever Allaah leaves astray, no one can guide. I bear witness that there is no god but Allaah, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.

Bismillah Walhamdulillah Was Salaatu Was Salaam 'ala Rasulillah

As-Salaam Alaikum Wa-Rahmatullahi Wa-Barakatuhu

Muslim Fashion Show after the Eid Prayer

By Asma bint Shameem

Subhaan Allaah! Eid seems to be becoming more and more bizarre with each passing

year!

You cant help but notice that when you look at everyone who shows up for the annual (well, actually twice yearly) Muslim fashion show, also known as the 'Eid prayer!

Just one look at the sisters and you will know what I mean....beautifully made up faces, salon done hair, shimmering clothes and glittering jewelry, not to mention the sleeveless shirts, stilettos, and waves after waves of perfume!

Subhaan Allaah!
Is this what Eid is all about ??!!

Is this what a whole month of fasting teaches us ?!!
Is this what we learn after contemplating the Qur’aan ??!!

I DONT THINK SO!!!

Yet, it seems like we completely missed the very essence of Ramadaan and the beautiful message it teaches us.

Allaah says in Surah al-Baqarah

“O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may become Al-Muttaqoon (the pious)”.

Ask yourself this…..Is this the way of the Muttaqoon??

Eid or no Eid, arent we women supposed to cover ourselves and dress modestly in front of non-Mahram men??

Didnt we read this order of Allaah in the Qur’aan to the believing women??

Didnt the Prophet (sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa sallam) say:

“Any woman who puts on perfume and passes by people so that they can smell her fragrance, is an adulteress.” (al-Nasaa’i, al-Tirmidhi: hasan by al-Albaani)

Did we forget that the Prophet (sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa sallam) said: “There are two types of the people of Hell whom I have not seen…..women who are clothed yet naked, going astray and leading others astray, with their heads looking like the humps of camels, leaning to one side. They will not enter Paradise nor even smell its fragrance, although its fragrance may be detected from such and such a distance.” (Muslim).

These sisters need to realize that they are being sinful in more than one way:

Not only are these sisters being sinful themselves dressing this way, by openly defying the direct order of Allaah to cover and dress modestly, but they also share a part of the sin when they make the brothers look at them by dressing inappropriately. And they also set a distorted, misleading example for all the young girls who come for the Eid prayer, giving them the impression that its OK to dress like that.

The Prophet (sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa sallam) said:

“Whoever calls people to misguidance will have a burden of sin like that of those who follow him, without it detracting from their burden in the slightest.” (Muslim)

And what about the Eid Khutbah??

If you ask most of the sisters what the khateeb said, they wouldnt have the slightest idea whatsoever.

Anybody guess WHY???

Because they are so busy chatting and yapping away….THATS why!

Did we come to the Eid prayer to pray or to socialize?

Sure, we are all happy to see our friends and family and want to wish them ‘Eid Mubarak’ and make plans to get together. But, aren’t we supposed to listen quietly to the Eid Khutbah first and be thankful to Allaah for enabling us to fast and guiding us?

Allaah says:

“Allah intends for you ease, and He does not want to make things difficult for you. (He wants that you) must complete the same number (of days of fasting), and that you mustmagnify Allah for having guided you so that you may be grateful to Him.” (Baqarah:185)

And yes, Eid is a celebration for us and we should rejoice and be happy. But that doesn’t mean that we forget the laws of Allaah and lose all the hard work and effort we put in the last 30 days just for a few hours of ‘looking good’ in front of others.

The million dollar question is….DO WE LOOK GOOD IN FRONT OF ALLAAH??!!!

What excuse will we have in front of Him regarding our inappropriate behavior….flirting with the opposite sex, the smiles and the looks, the loud music?!!

How can we use our eyes and ears and mind and body to disobey the One who gave us all these blessings in the first place?!!

And right after Ramadaan!!!

My dear brothers and sisters, there is much more to Eid than dressing up and hanging out with friends.

Reflect on what has gone and what is to come.

How can we think that Eid Prayer is the time to let our guards down and stop performing good deeds?

Let's not throw away all of the good deeds that we have gained during the blessed month of Ramadan. Think of ways to multiply your deeds well into the year and continue to improve. Let's celebrate, talk, wear make-up, and dress up on Eid. But let's do it in our homes and in our private parties.

Eid is a time to give thanks to Allaah for his mercy and generosity….it’s a time to be humble and obedient. Let's go to the Eid Prayer with the intention of submission to the Almighty, doing only those things that would please Him.

Look at what one of the righteous people said when they passed by some people who were engaged in idle entertainment on the day of Eid:

“If you did well in Ramadaan, this is not the way to give thanks for that. If you did badly in Ramadaan, this is not the way that the one who did badly should behave.”

Remember….

For the Mumin, Eid does not mark the end of righteousness. Rather it is just the beginning….

Ayyub (Allah be pleased with him) relates that the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace be upon him, his family, and companions) said, “Whoever fasts Ramadan and follows it with six days from Shawwal it is as if they fasted the entire year.” [Muslim, Abu Dawud, Tirmidhi, and Ibn Majah; Ahmad transmitted it from Jabir, Muntaqa]Thawban (Allah be pleased with him) relates that the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace be upon him, his family, and companions) said, “Whoever fasts Ramadan, and then six days after Eid, it is [like fasting] an entire year. Whoever does a good deed shall have ten times its reward.” [Ibn Majah, Muntaqa]

1. Based on this, the majority of the fuqaha, including the Hanafi, Shafi`i, and Hanbali school, have held that it is recommended to fast six days of the month of Shawwal. [Radd al-Muhtar; Mughni al-Muhtaj Shah al-Minhaj; Kashshaf al-Qina`]

2. It is permitted to fast these six days separately throughout the month, or consecutively, after Eid al-Fitr. [ibid.]

3. It is prohibitively disliked (makruh tahriman) and sinful to fast on Eid day itself. [Radd al-Muhtar]

4. The Shafi`is and Hanbalis state that it is superior to make the six fasts consecutive [Minhaj, Ghayat al-Muntaha]. Khatib al-Shirbini explains the reasoning as being, “In order to hasten to do the good, and because of the problems inevitable in delaying,” such as becoming lazy and not actually fulfilling this sunna in the end, though he points out that the sunna is fulfilled by both consecutive and non-consecutive fasting of six days in Shawwal. [Mughni al-Muhtaj]

The later Hanafi scholars differed as to which is better, fasting the six days consecutively or non-consecutively, though neither is disliked and both fulfill the sunna. [Radd al-Muhtar] However, it would be agreed that those who fear not fulfilling the recommendation due to laziness, forgetfulness or other excuses, should hasten to fast the six days consecutively immediately after Eid al-Fitr.

5. The reward is akin to having fasted obligatory fasts the entire year days, according to Buhuti, Shirbini, and others.Abu Hurayra (Allah be pleased with him) said that the Prophet (Allah bless him & give him peace) said,

“The strong believer is better and more beloved to Allah than the weak believer, though there is good in both. Be avid for that which benefits you. Rely on Allah and do not deem yourself incapable…”[Muslim 4816, Ibn Majah 76, Ahmad 8436]

Regards, Hany Nasr El-Din , Software Developer Al Ansari Exchange P.O Box:325
Abu Dhabi, U.A.E Website : www.alansariuae.comCONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This email and any files transmitted with it are confidential and intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to which they are addressed. If you have received this email in error please notify the system manager. Please note that any views or opinions presented in this email are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of the company. Finally, the recipient should check this email and any attachments for the presence of viruses. The company accepts no liability for any damage caused by any virus transmitted by this email.

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"Invite all to the way of thy Lord with wisdom and beautiful preaching;

[2:38] We said, "Go down therefrom( from Heaven to Earth - addressing Adam himself and son of Adam ), all of you. When guidance comes to you from Me, those who follow My guidance will have no fear, nor will they grieve.

Allah says; ‘We are closer to man, closer than the jugular vein...” Allah assigns angels to every one of us. One on our right to write the good deeds and one on our left...

“On the authority of son of Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them both), from the Messenger of Allah (PBUH), among the sayings he related from his Lord (glorified and exalted be He) is that He said: Allah has written down the good deeds and the bad ones. Then He explained it [by saying that] he who has intended a good deed and has not done it, Allah writes it down with Himself as a full good deed, but if he has intended it and has done it, Allah writes it down with Himself as from ten good deeds to seven hundred times, or many times over. But if he has intended a bad deed and has not done it, Allah writes it down with Himself as a full good deed, but if he has intended it and has done it, Allah writes it down as one bad deed.” It was related by al-Bukhari and Muslim. Hadith Qudsi

Abû Hurairah t narrated that the Prophet r said, “Allâh ordered (the appointed angels over you) that the good and the bad deeds be written. He then showed (the way) how (to write). If somebody intends to do a good deed and he does not do it, then Allâh will write for him a full good deed (in his account with Him).If he intends to do a good deed and actually did it, then Allâh will write for him (in his account) with Him (its reward equal) from ten to seven hundred times to many more times. If somebody intended to do a bad deed and he does not do it, then Allâh will write a full good deed (in his account) with Him;and if he intended to do it (a bad deed) and actually did it, then Allâh will write one bad deed (in his account).”(Bukhâri 8/498 and9/592)

The Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) has declared:
One who guides towards (an act of) goodness is like one who has (actually) peformed it.without anything being diminished from his rewards
Al-Kafi, vol. 4, pg. 27; Bihaar al-Anwaar, vol. 71, pg. 16.

And Yet :

The one who guides towards (an act of) badness is like one who has (actually) peformed it without diminishing in any way their burden.

The messenger of Allah (pbuh) said :

"Whosoever introduces a good practice in Islam, there is for him its reward and the reward of those who act upon it after him without anything being diminished from their rewards. And whosoever introduces an evil practice in Islam, will shoulder its sin and the sins of all those who will act upon it, without diminishing in any way their burden"
(Muslim).

“The angel on the left does not write down anything after a Muslim does a bad deed . the angel on the right ( right away ) ask the angel on the left to write it immediately, then the angel on the left reply to him to wait , give some time , maybe Son of Adam might regret it and ask God for forgiveness. If he regrets it and asks Allaah for forgiveness, he casts it aside [does not write it down], otherwise he writes down one (sayi’ah/bad deed).”

[59:21] If we revealed this Quran to a mountain, you would see it trembling, crumbling, out of reverence for GOD. We cite these examples for the people, that they may reflect.--- Greatness of the Quran

[18:109] Say, "If the ocean were ink for the words of my Lord, the ocean would run out, before the words of my Lord run out, even if we double the ink supply."

"Glorified be thy Lord, the Lord of Majesty, from that which they attribute (unto Him) ,And peace be unto those sent (to warn).And praise be to Allah, Lord of the Worlds! ( Al-Safat : 180-182) .

"These include 10,450 new Muslims from 2005 to 2009," Al Kaabi was quoted by Khaleej Times as saying.

"When people come to Dubai, they know better about the bright image of Islam, and how it tolerantly meets man's needs in all places and times," she said.

While 3,043 people converted to Islam in 2009, the first half of 2010 saw 1,373 new Muslims -- most of them were from the Philippines, Russia, China and India.

"The nationality of most new Muslims differs from one year to another," Kaabi said, adding that more women than men opt for Islam.

"This year among the converts, 1,098 are women and 275 men. Likewise, 984 of the 1,365 new Muslims in the first half of 2009 were women, and 576 of the 878 people who embraced Islam in the first six months of 2008 were women," she said.

Some 391 people from 35 nationalities converted to Islam last Ramadan. According to her, the New Muslims Section provides fully integrated and free services to Muslims, new Muslims and non-Muslims.

Thursday, September 9, 2010

AS MENTIONED IN SURAH QADR,"THE NIGHT OF POWER IS BETTER THAN 1000 MONTHS."

REASON WHY ALLAH(SWT) GIFTED THIS NIGHT WHICH IS EQUAL TO 83 YEARS AND 4 MONTHS:

THE AGES OF THE PEOPLE OF FORMER UMMAH.....FOLLOWERS OF FORMER MESSENGERS OF ALLAH ...USED TO BE VERY LONG;(EXAMPLE: THE PROPHETHOOD PERIOD OF PROPHET NOAH(PBUH) WAS 950 YEARS)THE LIFE SPAN OF THOSE OF PRESENT IN AT THE MOST 60 OR 70 YEARS.ALLAH HAS BEEN MERCIFUL ENOUGH TO GRANT THIS UMMAH A NIGHT OF POWER THAN THOSE OF MORE THAN A THOUSAND MONTHS.FOR A LITTLE EFFORT AND A LITTLE TIME,THE REWARD IS GREATER THAN THAT GIVEN TO PEOPLES OF FAR LONGER LIFE SPAN.IT IS ALLAH'S BLESSSING THAT HE HAS PATRONISED THIS UMMAH MORE THAN OTHERS.

LAILAT UL JAYEZA

"A NIGHT PRECEDING EID"

PROPHET MOHAMMED(PBUH) SAID,"HIS HEART WHO KEEPS UP DEVOTIONAL VIGIL ON THE NIGHTS OF PRECEDING EID-UL-FITR AND EID-UL-AZHA,SHALL NOT BE DEAD ON THE DAY WHEN OTHER HEARTS WILL BE DEAD", MEANING THE HEREAFTER.(TIRMIZI)

HADARATH ABU HURAIRA(RA) REPORTS MESSENGER OF ALLAH(PBUH) AS SAYING,"MY FOLLOWERS ARE FORGIVEN THEIR SINS ON THE LAST DAY OF RAMZAN."HIS COMPANIONS ASKED IF HE REFERRED TO LAILAT UL QADR, AND HE(PBUH) ANSWERED,"IT IS NOT SO."(TIRMIZI)

THE BLESSINGS OF THE LAST DAY ARE QUITE SEPARATE FROM THE BLESSING OF LAILAT-UL-QADR.THE POINT IS THAT WAGES ARE PAID AS SOON AS THE PERFORNANCE IS COMPLETED.THE PERFORMANCE DUE IN RAMZAN IS COMPLETED WITH THE DAWNING OF THE LAST DAY OF RAMZAN.

THE EID DAY

HADARATH ANAS (RA)REPORTS THE MESSENGER OF ALLAH(PBUH) AS SAYING:"ON THE NIGHT OF POWER, THE ARCHANGEL GABRIEL DECENDS WITH A COMPANY OF ANGELS WHO PRAY FOR EVERYONE O THOSE WHO MAY BE GLORIFYING THE LORD,STANDING OR SITTING.THEN,WHEN THE DAY OF EID DAWNS,ALLAH ON HIGH PROCLAIMS WITH GREAT PRIDE ,'THESE,MY SLAVES,HAVE FASTED ONE WHOSE MONTH AND OBEYED MY COMMAND.NOW,MY ANGELS TELL ME WHAT SHOULD BE THE RECOMPENSE FOR HIM WHO COMPLETES OBSERVANCE?'THE ANGELS SAY ,"OUR LORD THEIR RECOMPENSE SHOULD BE THEIR REWARD BE GIVEN IN FULL.'ALLAH TELLS THE ANGELS,'MY CREATURES HAVE FULLFILLED HEIR DUTY TO ME AND ARE NOW ON THE WAY TO THE PRAYER GROUND TO PRAY ME.I SWEAR BY MY GLORY EMINENCE THAT I WILL ANWER THE PRAYER OF EVERYONE OF THEM!'THEN HE TURNS TO HIS DEVOOTESAND SAYS,'I HAVE FORGIVEN YOU,AND HAVEREPLACED YOUR EVIL WITH GOOD!'

AND DEVOTEES RETURN TO THEIR HOME PURGED AND FORGIVEN!" (BAIHAQI)

IMPORTANT NOTE:

IT IS FORBIDDEN TO FAST ON EID DAY.

TO REFRAIN FROM FASTING ON THIS DAY IS AN ACT OF WORSHIP.

FITR SHOULD BE GIVEN AWAY ON OR BEFORE EID(BEFORE EID PRAYERS).

FITR IS GIVEN TO HELP THE NEEDY AND PURE THE FASTING ONE OF THE DEFECTS OF THEIR FAST.

HE WHO DOESNT PAY FITR HIS FASTS ARE INCOMPLETE.

"KITNEI JALDI YE ARMAAN GUZAR JATA HAI.

PYAAS LAGTI NAHI IFTAAR GUZAR JATA HAI

HUM GUNAHGARO'N KI MAGHFIRAT KAR MERE ALLAH

IBADAT HOTI NAHI AUR RAMZAN GUZAR JATA HAI"

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"Invite all to the way of thy Lord with wisdom and beautiful preaching;

"Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, Laa ilaaha illallahu Wallahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, Wa lillahil Hamd." (Allah is the greatest, Allah is the greatest. There is no deity besides Allah and Allah is the greatest. Allah is the greatest and all praises are for Allah only.)

Kullu a'am wa'anthum bekhair..........thakabalallhahu minna waminkum

Assalaamualaykum warahmatulahi wabarakatuhuh,

Eid al-Fitr

"Eid" is an Arabic word, whose root connotation is ‘that which comes back, time after time' and it also means rejoicing.

EID-AL-FITR is celebrated on the first day of Shaw'waal, the 10th month of the Islamic calendar. Muslims show their joy and gratitude for the health, strength and the opportunities of life, which Allah has given to them to fulfill their obligation of fasting and other good deeds during the blessed month of Ramadan.

The Prophet Muhammad (Allah bless him and give him peace) said,
“Whoever fasts the month of Ramadan out of faith, seeking its reward, shall have all their past sins forgiven.”
(Bukhari)

The Night Before

Prepare for the morning, including clothes, directions to Eid-Salah,
and preparing any special sweet meals to be eaten before salat.

Make lots of istighfar (asking Allah for forgiveness) and pray that Allah accepted our fast, prayers and devotion, and may He grant the Ummah glory and success.

Morning of Eid-al-Fitr

Wake up early! Pray Fajr.

Take a shower (ghusul)

Brush your teeth.

Dress up, putting on best clothes available, whether new or cleaned old ones. Make sure your clothing is modest and appropiate.

Use perfume

Eat something sweet on Eid-al-Fitr before leaving for the masjid or prayer ground. Eat dates before going to the masjid or prayer ground. It is sunnah to eat an odd number.

Everyone should attend Eid Salah if the Salat is held away from the masjid. Pay Zakaat-al-Fitr before Salaat-al-Eid (on Eid-al-Fitr) .

Go to prayer ground early.

Offer Salaat-al-Eid in congregation in an open place except when whether is not permitting like rain, snow, etc.

Use two separate routes to and from the prayer ground.

Recite the following Takbir on the way to Salaat and until the beginning of Salaat-al-Eid. On Eid-al-Adha, Takbir starts from Maghrib on the 9th Dhul-Hijjah and last until the Asr on the 12th Dhul-Hijjah: Allahu-Akbar, Allahu-Akbar. La ila-ha ill-lal-lah. Allahu-Akbar, Allahu-Akbar. Wa-lilahill hamd. (Allah is great. Allah is great. There is no god but Allah. Allah is great. Allah is great. And all praises are due to Him).

It is also considered a good Islamic practice to visit one another and exchange gifts.
The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
"Exchange gifts, and you will love one another." (Bukhari)

Prohibited Acts during Eid

Spending lavishly and with undue burden on others on gifts, decorations, food, and clothing

Men and women mixing with each other on the salat grounds and non-Mahram men and women greeting each other with physical contact.

Wearing inappropiate clothing or immodest clothing.

Fasting is strictly prohibited on Eid.

Dealing with Grief During Eid

While Eid is definitely a time of joy and happiness, it's also one of sadness for those who recall happy occasions with deceased family members. Whether we're experiencing this sadness ourselves, or know someone who is, grief is something we can't ignore.

Pray to Allah (Dua)

Make Dua and remember deceased parents and visit and show respect to their relatives and friends

Cherish the good memories

If you know someone dealing with personal grief this Eid, make a special effort to invite them over.

Avoid Isolation

If you have a family member or friend who is suffering through such problems, inviting them over on Eid day can lift their spirits. Offer them words of Dua, hope and comfort which can also help them cope with their difficult situation.

This Eid, if you see someone suffering, try to comfort them. We must make a special effort to help anyone in need, and Eid day, which is a happy occasion, is an excellent occasion to do so.

The Messenger of Allah, Muhammad (sallallahu alaihi wa-allehe wa-sallam) said "Pass on knowledge from me even if it is only one verse"

-EIDMUBARAK-

May the blessings of Allah fill your life with happiness and open all the doors of success now and always

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Its approximately 3 Kilograms and and to be given where the person have been fasting during the ramadaan.. Praise be to Allaah.

It was proven from the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) that he enjoined zakaat al-fitr on the Muslims, one saa’ of dates or one saa’ of barley, and he commanded that it be given before the people went out to the (Eid) prayer. In al-Saheehayn it is narrated that Abu Sa’eed al-Khudri (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: At the time of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) we used to give one saa’ of food, or one saa’ of dates, or one saa’ of barley, or one saa’ of raisins.

Some of the scholars have interpreted “food” (ta’aam) in this hadeeth as referring to wheat; others interpreted it as meaning the staple food of the country, whatever it is, whether it is wheat, corn, pearl millet or whatever. This is the correct view, because zakaah is a help from the rich to the poor, and the Muslim does not have to help with anything other than the staple food of his country. Undoubtedly rice is the staple food in the land of the Two Holy Sanctuaries (Saudi Arabia) and it is a good and valuable food; it is better than the barley that is mentioned in the text. Hence it is known that there is nothing wrong with giving rice as zakaat al-fitr.

What must be given is a saa’ of any kind of staple food, i.e., a saa’ of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), which is four complete scoops as scooped up with two hands, according to al-Qaamoos etc. In modern weights this is equivalent to approximately three kilograms. If a Muslim gives a kilo of rice or some other staple food of his country, that is sufficient even if it is not one of the types mentioned in the hadeeth, according to the more correct of the two scholarly opinions. There is nothing wrong with giving the equivalent amount by weight, which is approximately three kilograms.

Zakaat al-fitr must be given on behalf of all Muslims, young and old, male and female, free and slave. With regard to a foetus, it is not obligatory to give it on his behalf according to scholarly consensus, but it is mustahabb, because ‘Uthmaan (may Allaah be pleased with him) did that.

It is also obligatory to give it before the Eid prayer, and it is not permissible to delay it until after the Eid prayer. There is nothing wrong with giving it one or two days before the Eid. Hence it is known that the earliest time when it may be given, according to the more correct of the two scholarly views, is the night of the 28th of Ramadaan, because the month may be twenty-nine or thirty days. The companions of the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) used to give it one or two days before Eid.

Those to whom it must be given are the poor and needy. It was proven that Ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) enjoined zakaat al-fitr as a purification for the fasting person from idle and obscene speech, and to feed the poor. Whoever gives it before the prayer, it is zakaat al-fitr, and whoever gives it after the prayer, it is ordinary charity. This was narrated by Abu Dawood and classed as hasan by al-Albaani in Saheeh Abi Dawood.

It is not permissible to pay the value in money, according to the majority of scholars; this view has the stronger evidence. Rather it must be given in the form of food, as the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) and his companions (may Allaah be pleased with them) did. This is also the view of the majority of the ummah. We ask Allaah to help us and all the Muslims to understand His religion properly and adhere to it steadfastly, and to guide us, for He is the Most Generous, Most Kind.

Majmoo’ Fataawa al-Shaykh Ibn Baaz, 14/200.

This is the estimation of Shaykh Ibn Baaz (may Allaah have mercy on him), who reckoned the weight of zakaat al-fitr as being approximately three kilograms.

This was also the estimate of the scholars of the Standing Committee (9/371).

Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen (may Allah have mercy on him) estimated it in grams as being 2100 grams, as it says in Fataawa al-Zakaah, p. 274-276.

This discrepancy occurred because a saa’ is a measure of volume, not weight.

The scholars worked it out by weight so that it would be easier to work out. It is well known that the weight of grains varies; some are light and some are heavy, and some are in between. In fact the weight of a saa’ of the same kind of grain may vary, and new may weigh more than old. Hence if people err on the side of caution and give more, that will be better.

See al-Mughni, 4/168, where it mentions something similar about working out the nisaab of crops by weight.

And Allaah knows best.

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"Invite all to the way of thy Lord with wisdom and beautiful preaching;

Allah (SWT) says in Al-Qur’an, “There is a night in the month which is ... better than a thousand months".

(Al-Qur’an 97:3)

The night of “Laylatul Qadr” is described as being greater in blessedness and spiritual virtue than 1,000 months. Therefore fortunate is that person who attains the full blessings of this night by spending it in the worship of Allah (SWT).

Narrated Ibn 'Umar (Radi Allah Anhu) : Some men amongst the companions of the Prophet Muhammad (sal-allahu-alleihi-wasallam) were shown in their dreams that the night of Qadr was in the last seven nights of Ramazan. Allah's Messenger (sal-allahu-alleihi-wasallam) said, "It seems that all your dreams agree that (the Night of Qadr) is in the last seven nights, and whoever wants to search for it should search in the last seven nights of Ramazan." [Sahih Bukhari : Volume 3, Book 32 "Taraweeh", Number 232]

The Prophet (pbuh) said, “Seek Laylatul Qadr in the last ten nights. If one among you shows slackness and weakness in the earlier part of Ramadan, it should not be allowed to prevail upon him in last week”.

(Sahih Muslim, Book 006, Number 2621)

During the last third of Ramadan, one should read more of Al-Qur’an and remember Allah (SWT) more often, even constantly. For Muslims, the last ten days should be a time to perfect one’s fast and avoid anything that may break it. It is a time to give more charity and to settle disputes and forgive one another. It is also a time for soul searching, evaluating one’s life, supplicating, and asking forgiveness. This should be done sincerely because if Allah (SWT) accepts the supplications, the reward is the remission of one’s sins. The best time to do it is in the last part of the night.

The Prophet (pbuh) said, “When the last one third of the night remains, Allah, the Glorious One, descends towards the lower heaven and proclaims “Is there anyone supplicating to Me, so that I grant his supplication? Is there anyone begging of Me for anything, so that I grant him his wish? Is there anyone who seeks My forgiveness, so I forgive him?” (Sahih Bukhari, Volume 8, Book 75, Number 333)

Allah (SWT) has concealed the exact date of the Night of Power so that we would double our efforts during the last ten days. He is also testing the serious and the non-serious. The seriously interested person will earch for it late at night and in the early hours until he or she attains it, regardless of the hardship. The Prophet (pbuh) said, “Whoever stands in prayers and worships on the night of Power, with complete faith and sincere hope of gaining reward, all his previous sins are forgiven”. (Sahih Bukhari, Volume 3, Book 32, Number 226)

It is recommended to seek the night and spend it diligently in devotion, including night Sunnah prayers (Tahajjud) and recitation of Al-Qur'an. This citation indicates that regardless of whether a person knows the night or not Allah (SWT) will grant forgiveness for previous shortcomings. The Prophet (pbuh) used to exert himself in devotion during the last ten nights to a greater extent than at any other time. (Sahih Muslim, Book 006, Number 2644)

During this time, he limited his contact with people and intensified his supplications and du’as to Allah (SWT). The Prophet (pbuh) did this in order to attune his heart even more with Allah (SWT) and to free his mind from the concerns of the world. With the start of the last ten days of Ramadan, The Prophet (pbuh) used to work hard and used to offer Salaat (prayers) all the night, and used to keep his family awake for the Salaat (prayers). (Sahih Bukhari, Volume 3, Book 32, Number 241)

One of the best du’aa’s that may be recited on Laylat al-Qadr is that which the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) taught to ‘Aa’ishah (may Allaah be pleased with her). Al-Tirmidhi narrated, and classed the report as saheeh, that ‘Aa’ishah said: “I said, ‘O Messenger of Allaah, if I know which night is Laylat al-Qadr, what should I say on that night?’ He said, ‘Say: Allaahumma innaka ‘afuwwun tuhibb al-‘afwa fa’affu ‘anni (O Allaah, You are forgiving and You love forgiveness, so forgive me).”